Microsoft is issuing software updates to fix the damage caused by Intel's Spectre and Meltdown patches

Microsoft is releasing a series of software updates to all Windows 10 machines that previously received patches from Intel that were supposed to fix the security flaws brought by Spectre and Meltdown, The Verge first reported.

If it doesn't sound clear, it's because it is indeed a mess. Here's what happened:

When the Spectre and Meltdown security flaws were found, Intel issued some security patches that compromised performance on Windows 10 machines, but seemingly kept them safe from being exploited.

Some users, however, started reporting that the Intel-patched machines would not only slow down, but also start to reboot spontaneously. Intel admitted that its security fixes were indeed buggy, and asked PC makers and customers to stop updating their devices altogether.

But Microsoft is taking things a step further, as this new update — which users can only download manually via the Windows Update catalog — will prevent Windows 10 devices from receiving Intel's buggy "fixes," and will also prevent them from rebooting or malfunctioning because of the Intel patches.